Emil Højlund

Danish footballer (born 2005)

Emil Højlund
Personal information
Full name Emil Winther Højlund[1]
Date of birth (2005-01-04) 4 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Hørsholm, Denmark
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Schalke 04
Number 15
Youth career
2009–2018 Hørsholm-Usserød IK
2018–2024 Copenhagen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2024 Copenhagen 1 (0)
2024– Schalke 04 0 (0)
International career‡
2020–2021 Denmark U16 4 (0)
2021–2022 Denmark U17 11 (2)
2022 Denmark U18 2 (1)
2023– Denmark U19 8 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 July 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 July 2024

Emil Winther Højlund (born 4 January 2005) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a forward for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04.

Early life

Højlund was born to former Danish footballer Anders Højlund, who played in the Danish Superliga with Boldklubben af 1893. He is the twin brother of Oscar Højlund, and the younger brother of Danish international and Manchester United[2] footballer Rasmus Højlund.[3]

Club career

Højlund began his career with local side Hørsholm-Usserød IK, a club affiliated with Superliga side Copenhagen, whom he joined alongside his brother Oscar at the age of thirteen.[3] His first taste of senior football came on 9 December 2021, when he was named on the bench for a UEFA Europa Conference League fixture against Slovan Bratislava, though he did not feature as a goal from his brother Rasmus helped Copenhagen to a 2–0 win.[4] He extended his contract with the club on 23 December 2021, alongside his brother Oscar.[3]

On 10 March 2022, Højlund made his professional debut for Copenhagen, coming on as a late substitute for Lukas Lerager in a 4–4 away draw to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Europa Conference League.[5] Following the game, manager Jess Thorup said of both Højlund and fellow youth player Roony Bardghji, who had also featured in the game: "We are not afraid to use them, and they showed again that they are ready when it matters."[6]

Højlund scored his first goal for the club in a friendly match against Silkeborg in a 2–1 win on 5 July 2023.[7] He made his Superliga debut on 22 July, coming on as a substitute alongside his brother Oscar as Copenhagen beat Lyngby 2–1.[8]

On 16 July 2024, German club Schalke 04 announced that they had signed Højlund until 30 June 2028.[9]

International career

Højlund has represented Denmark from under-16 to under-19 level.[1]

Style of play

Højlund has been described by Copenhagen's development director Sune Smith-Nielsen as a "complete striker who can play in the two front positions in the centre of the field", with good speed, technique, vision and finishing ability.[3]

Career statistics

As of 16 July 2024[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Copenhagen 2021–22 Danish Superliga 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 2 0
2022–23 Danish Superliga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023–24 Danish Superliga 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Schalke 04 2024–25 2. Bundesliga 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Career total 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0

References

  1. ^ a b Emil Højlund at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Rasmus Hojlund signs for Manchester United". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Højlund Twins extend FCK contracts". FCK.dk. FC Copenhagen. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Højlund-familien er storleverandør af talenter til FCK" [The Højlund family is a major supplier of talent to FCK]. bt.dk (in Danish). 10 December 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  5. ^ Claes, Lasse (26 March 2022). "Angriber om brors FCK-debut: Jeg kneb en tåre" [Striker on brother's FCK debut: I shed a tear]. tipsbladet.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Thorup efter 4-4 mod PSV: Vores styrke ligger i bredden" [Thorup after 4-4 against PSV: Our strength lies in width]. jyllands-posten.dk (in Danish). 11 March 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  7. ^ Hoffskov, Ole (5 July 2023). "Rasmus Højlund så sin lillebror score for FCK" [Rasmus Højlund saw his younger brother score for FCK]. tipsbladet.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  8. ^ "FCK bryder dårlig premierestime med smal sejr i Lyngby" [FCK breaks a bad premiership with a narrow victory in Lyngby]. bt.dk (in Danish). 22 July 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Emil Højlund joins Schalke 04". FC Schalke 04. 16 July 2024.
  10. ^ Emil Højlund at Soccerway

External links

  • Profile at the Schalke 04 website
  • v
  • t
  • e
FC Schalke 04 – current squad